A group of men who ‘spared little thought for their victims’ have been convicted following a complex investigation into large-scale waste crimes across 14 locations.

The Environment Agency's investigation, known as Operation Cesium, targeted numerous sites in major cities as well as agricultural land.

The three men approached waste management facilities, offering to dispose of baled waste at reduced rates, but later abandoned it, according to intelligence reports.

It's estimated that over 26,000 tonnes of waste—roughly the equivalent weight of 2,170 double-decker buses—were illegally dumped at the sites under investigation.

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They are believed to have evaded landfill tax costs exceeding £2.7 million, while the cost of removing the waste, which fell on the landowners, is estimated at more than £3.2m.

The victims faced significant financial burdens for waste removal, along with infestations of flies and rats that led to the closure of nearby businesses, and even the shutdown and demolition of certain sites.

The illegal activities also had broader impacts on the environment, public health, and neighbouring communities.

The offenses included the group entering rental or lease agreements with owners of farms, land, and even an operational airfield, under false pretences of storing plastic pellets, motor vehicles, or temporarily holding refuse-derived fuel for later export to incinerators abroad.

The baled waste, typically consisting of household or business refuse, was then abandoned at these locations.

They also diverted waste to sites they owned but were not using, forcing entry and depositing bales of waste there.

The operation was highly organised, with the group creating an appearance of legitimacy by stationing 'security officers' in hi-vis clothing at the entrance to the sites.

On July 18, Marcus Hughes, 53, and Richard Hopkinson, 52, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court and pleaded guilty to various environmental, corporate, and fraud offenses.

On July 26, Robert McDonagh, 51, also pleaded guilty to environmental, corporate, and fraud charges at the same court.

Emma Viner, the Environment Agency's investigations manager, described Operation Cesium as a complex investigation.

She stated: “The gang spared little thought for their victims and the environmental, financial and health impacts they caused.

"We take our responsibility to protect people and the environment seriously, whether by stopping large-scale dumping or making life harder for criminals by disrupting illegal activity through tough and decisive action."

Sentencing is scheduled for December 17-18, 2024 at Birmingham Crown Court.